FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

To think of something original to say about Easter or Spring-time is like trying to find new ideas on the subject of love, it has all been said before. However by the nature of things we can find joy and satisfaction with events and occasions that occur annually even if we have experienced them many times before and are familiar with their meaning.

The recurring miracle of rebirth in nature when after the long months, when nothing looks as if it will ever grow again, we find around us, almost by surprise, the crocus and the daffodil, the forming bud, and the cloak of death being thrust aside by the life which, though hidden, was always present. Is the significance, not that life follows death but that life is always present, - that it is death which is temporary and fleeting. Surely this too is the great abiding truth of Easter that Christ has burst through the chains of mortality and death and made life the abiding truth and death the shadow of things that pass away.

That life, the life He gives us, is always there.

Such is the Christian hope this and every year.

DONALD WHITE.

We offer Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Jack on the birth of a little girl, Bridgette Louise on March 7th. Mrs. Jack was formerly, Miss Joan Marshall.

D.W.

PARISH NOTES

Warm Thanks

Have come once more to Mrs. Kitchingham from the Church of England Children's Society, which is intended for all boxholders and contributors. Between them they produced £12 1s. 8d. for the work of the Society. As usual Mr. Roots kindly changed all the pennies. Together with the collection at a School service and a donation by the Church Council the parish's total contribution to the Society in 1964 was at least £24. After doing the job of local organiser quietly and faithfully for 14 years, Mrs. Kitchingham has now given up, Miss E. Woodcock has taken over.

Good Striking

Came from a party of 12 young ringers, of both sexes, from Christchurch College, Canterbury, when they visited our tower on Saturday, 20th March. They had an hour's ringing, of a high standard, in the following methods - Plain Bob Doubles, Plain Bob Minor and Kent Treble Bob Minor, in which they invited our captain, Mr. Kitchingham to ring with them. With the party was Graham Neilson, son of the Rev. J. W. Neilson, who was Priest-in-charge here for some time during the War.